Out Now: Art Academy: SketchPad Arrives, Right on Time, in North America and Europe

Earlier in the week, as part of a Nintendo Direct broadcast, it was confirmed that Art Academy: SketchPad would be coming to the Wii U eShop today, 9th August. It's a drawing app that incorporates some of what will eventually be a full Art Academy title for the system, and includes various tools and full Miiverse integration to give eager artists the perfect platform to show what they can do with the GamePad's touch screen.

When it wasn't listed in yesterday's North American Nintendo Download update, there were lingering fears that, despite the confirmation the day before, the app would be delayed at late notice. Thankfully that wasn't the case, as the app is now available on the Wii U eShop in both Europe and North America, priced at $3.99 / £3.59 / €3.99.

The Miiverse community for this app already has well over 10,000 active users; will you be joining them?

From the web

Welsh ex-pat Tom is responsible for the day-to-day running of the site. He's the guy to thank for the generally brilliant nature of the content which massages your eyeballs on a daily basis. Also has an unhealthy obsession with all things Bowser.

While my W101 demo was downloading, I made a pretty quick Viewtiful Joe, and I'm rather proud of the -although simple- result. Should anyone want to see it, my username here is the same as my Nintendo Network account.

And I have to say in an edit: having over two decades experience with all sorts of drawing materials, it feels pretty realistic. Hats off to the creators! Of course it's not the exact same, but the visual result seems quite real with different techniques. Great 'app'!

Considering how expensive art programs that simulate real pencils/pens etc. are, this is a pretty amazing deal. Especially when you consider the built-in community. I'm not good at doing more than doodling, but I just might have to pick this up.

@Sceptic Believe it or not, a resistive screen is very precise when compared to a capacitive one. I am not a pro by any stretch of the imagination, but I can get better linework out of my 3DS than out of my Android tablet; for the price I think you are getting a lot of bang for your buck.

@ThomasBW84 Technically, it wasn't late at all, as Nintendo said it would be released on August 9th (today).From Nintendo Life's own article: "the app is making its way to the Wii U eShop (in North America and Europe) this Friday, 9th August."

How can people say Nintendo should've made other games instead of this? Like the team who always works in Art Academy and other creative games is gonna make some big Wii U games instead AND have them finished in time for this summer.

Anyway so many people have waited for this since the announcement of the GamePad. And its only $4! Where can you get a drawing app of that quality at that price? Nintendo keeps surprising. I thought drawing on the 3DS XL was great, but this is definitely a step up. I'll be using it a lot.

Anyway so many people have waited for this since the announcement of the GamePad. And its only $4! Where can you get a drawing app of that quality at that price? Nintendo keeps surprising. I thought drawing on the 3DS XL was great, but this is definitely a step up. I'll be using it a lot.

I agree the app is well worth the money, there was a drawing tablet for the PS3 that was quite good actually. But the Wii U is a lot better i think for drawing, also the Wii U's stylus feels a lot better to hold, not a think thing. Also the price of the app is very cheap, like i said before well worth the money.

I can't draw very well... a drafting-style line-drawing is the best I can muster because my hands don't do what my mind sees and my Pixar attempts all turn out to be stick-men... - but for a little over Au$5, why not?

I caved and used my Deleuxe Digital Promo $5 to buy it. Then I spent a 1/2 hour drawing an evil clown that would probably get deleted by an administrator if I posted it on Miiverse. I think it it's worth it...

I haven't drawn anything since the 6th grade, but I used to be a VERY aspiring artist- the best in my class ever since I was in kindergarten. I'll buy this simply because it's a heck of a tool to use for Miiverse drawings for only a couple dollars. I might draw something elaborate someday with it, who knows.

I'm more excited to SEE the artwork others create- there are some really talented Wii U owners out there.

Don't want and/or can't draw at all, but I love the drawings that people make. Glad that the WiiU has another use that brings enjoyment to people. If I had even a slight inkling to draw they could have my $4 in a heartbeat.

@Yosher@ClassicJetterz Those are both great. I got the art app and tried drawing the flower...I had to save it and am still in the process....Both of your art is great though. I can only hope to draw a full picture that captures as much as y'all...(yes, I said y'all)

this app is amazing but it has its cons like just changing tools will lock what ever you did and wont be able to erase it later only cover it like layers o.O but other then that price seemed amazing i did my first drawing on it today

How do you upload those pictures? I'm wondering how I can transfer the pictures I draw onto my computer? Any easy way of doing that? I checked if I could watch the pictures on Miiverse and just save the photos, but the pictures on Miiverse (pc) are so small! Thanks in advance

@Fleeso That is pretty much how I did it. Just post it to Miiverse, then you can grab it from the Miiverse website. I wish I could grab a bigger image of it too, but I'm not sure how to do that. That's one gripe I have with this app right now, unable to take the image (the larger version anyway) onto another system.

I used to draw quite a lot when I blogged at IGN, a few years back. This looks tempting to try and get back into drawing. It is really cheap and I would rather draw on the gamepad than on the 3DS screen.

How is offering a product for a fair price, theiving? Even for making silly little pieces of software like this it does cost time and money, and thats time and money any company should hope to make back... they are still probably losing money by offering this for $4.